Mayor Wilson on Ukraine: ‘This crisis must matter to us as human beings’
Read the full article here.
The content is below courtesy of the Desert News publishing
By Jenny Wilson
As mayor of Salt Lake County, my primary focus lies within the boundaries of our community. However, when the threads of international relations entwine with national security, it becomes essential to broaden how we view where our boundaries begin and end.
Russia’s initial attack on Ukraine, the ongoing war and the funding stalemate in Congressare issues Utahns should care about, no matter the distance from our homes.
It’s only been two years since we watched Russian tanks roll into Ukraine. The events are almost too painful to comprehend. Bombs destroy villages while grandmothers hug injured grandchildren as they evacuate the only home they know.
This crisis poses a threat to our standing in the world and our national security. Putin intends to expand his footprint, and the potential cost of ignoring Russian aggression grows exponentially every day that we fail to act.
In an era where political leadership often seems opportunistic, the genuine leadership of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reminds the world that a nation’s people and sovereignty are worth fighting for.
Just this past week, the governor of the Kyiv region, Ruslan Kravchenko, visited Utah. Along with businessman and philanthropist Dell Loy Hansen, I had the honor of hosting this delegation. Dell Loy and I sat next to Gov. Kravchenko as we heard the stories of Ukraine’s journey through pain and perseverance.
Gov. Kravchenko relayed a horrifying story to us: Detached and indifferent Russian soldiers, without orders, drove tanks through Ukrainian neighborhoods, arbitrarily destroying homes as casually as one might kick over sandcastles on a beach. This one example of senseless violence illustrates a disturbing disregard for human life.
Hearing the atrocities inflicted upon the children and families in Ukraine rekindled my desire for action. Action to break the log jam in Congress, and the necessity of urging our congressional delegation to lead the way and break the stalemate in funding. The U.S. bears a moral responsibility to act swiftly in making strategic decisions to support Ukraine. The threat posed by Russia is not just a distant echo but an urgent call for solidarity. […]
